Definitions

mèi (noun) younger sister

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. represents the meaning and represents the sound.

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character "妹" is etymologically derived from the semantic component "女", indicating female, paired with "未", which serves a dual role as a phonetic marker and a conceptual element suggesting youth or something not yet fully matured, thus defining the term as a younger sister. Its structure as a phono-semantic compound has remained unchanged, consistently reflecting this familial relationship through the juxtaposition of gender and relative age. Over its historical usage, the core meaning has steadfastly referred to a younger female sibling, while also extending into more generalized or affectionate applications, such as in colloquial address for young women or in reduplicated forms denoting endearment, without undergoing significant semantic alteration. The character's design and sustained lexical stability highlight its focused representation of juniority within female kinship terms.

Etymology Hide

Oracle etymology image
Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)
Oracle etymology image
Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Spring and Autumn (771-476 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

我的很可爱。

Wǒ de mèimei hěn kě'ài.

My younger sister is very cute.

喜欢唱歌。

Mèimei xǐhuān chànggē.

My younger sister likes singing.

我和去公园。

Wǒ hé mèimei qù gōngyuán.

I am going to the park with my younger sister.

的学校很近。

Mèimei de xuéxiào hěn jìn.

My younger sister's school is very close.

我教做作业。

Wǒ jiāo mèimei zuò zuòyè.

I teach my younger sister to do homework.

虽然小,但很懂事。

Mèimei suīrán xiǎo, dàn hěn dǒngshì.

Although my younger sister is young, she is very sensible.

妈妈给买了一件新衣服。

Māma gěi mèimei mǎi le yī jiàn xīn yīfu.

Mom bought a new piece of clothing for my younger sister.

每当难过时,我都会安慰她。

Měi dāng mèimei nánguò shí, wǒ dōu huì ānwèi tā.

Whenever my younger sister feels sad, I always comfort her.